*''ω'' (called [[angular frequency]], measured in ''[[radian]]s per second'') is ''2π'' times the [[frequency]] (in ''[[hertz]]''),

+

*''ω'' (called angular frequency, measured in ''radians per second'') is ''2π'' times the frequency (in ''hertz''),

-

*''k'' (called the [[wave number]] and measured in ''radians per metre'') is ''2π'' divided by the [[wavelength]] ''λ'' (in ''metres''), and

+

*''k'' (called the wave number and measured in ''radians per metre'') is ''2π'' divided by the wavelength ''λ'' (in ''metres''), and

*''x'' and ''t'' are variables for longitudinal position and time, respectively.

*''x'' and ''t'' are variables for longitudinal position and time, respectively.

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</math>

</math>

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This describes a wave that oscillates in time, but has a spatial dependence that is stationary: sin(''kx''). At locations ''x''&nbsp;=&nbsp;0, ''λ''/2, ''λ'', 3''λ''/2, ... called the [[node (physics)|node]]s the amplitude is always zero, whereas at locations ''x''&nbsp;=&nbsp;''λ''/4, 3''λ''/4, 5''λ''/4, ...'' called the [[anti-node]]s, the amplitude is maximum. The distance between two conjugative nodes or anti-nodes is ''λ''/2.

+

This describes a wave that oscillates in time, but has a spatial dependence that is stationary: sin(''kx''). At locations ''x''&nbsp;=&nbsp;0, ''λ''/2, ''λ'', 3''λ''/2, ... called the node, the amplitude is always zero, whereas at locations ''x''&nbsp;=&nbsp;''λ''/4, 3''λ''/4, 5''λ''/4, ...'' called the anti-nodes, the amplitude is maximum. The distance between two conjugative nodes or anti-nodes is ''λ''/2.

Contents

Basic Description

A standing wave is a wave which does not travel. Though standing waves typically are not those which reach our ears, most acoustic musical instruments utilize them. A standing wave in a musical instrument allows for consistency and predictability of the wave in order to produce a tone.

In wind instruments, a standing wave is “trapped” by resonance in a resonating chamber, and in string instruments the standing wave is continuously reflected between the string's two anchor points.
Standing waves are rarely pure, meaning that they vibrate at many frequencies simultaneously, and the series of harmonic partial frequencies are musically utilized in various ways.

Harmonics

In a standing wave system like an instrument, the fundamental frequency is the frequency that has the longest wavelength possible. The fundamental frequency in such a system is therefore the lowest frequency possible. In a vibrating string system, such as that of a guitar or piano, the wavelength of the wave which produces the fundamental frequency equals the length of the entire string from anchor to anchor. The fundamental frequency is what defines the tone produced by a standing wave system, because the pitch of this frequency is the loudest and most identifiable.

In such a system, there are many other frequencies besides the fundamental. These are known as partials, which can be defined as either harmonic or inharmonic. Harmonic partial frequencies, as opposed to inharmonic frequencies, are defined to be integer multiples higher than the fundamental frequency (in Hz). This also means that the wavelengths of harmonics are even fractions of the fundamental frequency's wavelength, of the form

Harmonic frequencies are usually much louder than inharmonic frequencies. Harmonic frequencies also have more 'sustain' than inharmonic frequencies. 'Sustain' is a term used in music to describe the length of time before the string completely stops vibrating, and it becomes silent. More sustain refers to vibrations which last for longer periods of time.

Click on the finger to begin using this flash app!
To discover different string harmonics, press the finger (click and hold down the mouse) on different parts of the string.

[Click to use the Flash App]

String Harmonics App

[Click to hide the Flash App]

In this application, the aim is to lightly press down on an already vibrating guitar string. In this case, it is a steel low E string for an electric guitar. This simulates how one might play a harmonic on a guitar string. After lifting the finger off the string (mouse up), the fundamental frequency is played again for comparison and demonstration purposes. On a real string however, the harmonic frequency would continue to sound even after the finger had lifted off the string. When the finger is pressed, the colored dots on the string represent nodes in the wave other than the node underneath the finger.

A More Mathematical Explanation

[Click to view A More Mathematical Explanation]

Harmonic waves travelling in opposite directions can be represented by the equations below:

UNIQ611 [...]

[Click to hide A More Mathematical Explanation]

Harmonic waves travelling in opposite directions can be represented by the equations below:

and

where:

y0 is the amplitude of the wave,

ω (called angular frequency, measured in radians per second) is 2π times the frequency (in hertz),

k (called the wave number and measured in radians per metre) is 2π divided by the wavelength λ (in metres), and

x and t are variables for longitudinal position and time, respectively.

This describes a wave that oscillates in time, but has a spatial dependence that is stationary: sin(kx). At locations x = 0, λ/2, λ, 3λ/2, ... called the node, the amplitude is always zero, whereas at locations x = λ/4, 3λ/4, 5λ/4, ... called the anti-nodes, the amplitude is maximum. The distance between two conjugative nodes or anti-nodes is λ/2.

The Harmonic Series In Practice

String Instruments

The list of harmonic partials for a particular wave is sometimes referred to as a scale of harmonics, or harmonic series. In the case of some string instruments, including guitar and violin, a player is able to dampen, or mute the fundamental frequency, along with other lower frequencies of the harmonic series, giving the listener the ability to better hear the more quiet, high partials.

If the player lightly touches the string halfway between the two anchor points while it is vibrating, the fundamental frequency, along with some other frequencies, will be dampened, and the listener will be better able to hear the other harmonic partials. They will be best able to hear the 'octave' harmonic, with half the wavelength, and twice the frequency in Hz as the fundamental frequency. The listener can still hear these harmonic frequencies because the pressed finger lies on a node between two wavelengths, and therefore does not interfere with the waves.

Wind Instruments

Standing waves in wind instruments work much like they do in string instruments, but the vibrating component is not a string. Vibration in string instruments comes from reeds in most woodwind instruments, and from the players lips in brass instruments. Both types of wind instruments utilize these vibrations to produce a standing wave with the column of air trapped inside the instrument (known as the resonating chamber). The wave's shape can then be disrupted to change the tone produced in numbers of different ways. Strategically covering and uncovering holes in the resonating chamber (i.e. a Clarinet), changing the resonating chambers shape (i.e. a Trombone), changing the vibration of the lips by altering embrasure, or "mouth shape" (i.e. a Bugle), etc. are all ways to alter the waveform and thereby alter the tone and pitch.